Chapter 71: Ciri Meeting #2 - Festival Setup
The intelligence from Cintra arrived through Tom's network.
"Princess Cirilla has been observed using musical techniques beyond her previous capability. Her tutors noted 'remarkable improvement' in pitch accuracy and rhythmic timing." Tom spread the contact reports across the planning table. "Several court sources mention she referenced 'a gift from an interesting guild master' when asked about the change."
"The skill book worked. She used it, noticed the results, remembered who gave it to her."
"Additionally," Tom continued, "the harvest festival approaches. Queen Calanthe has issued broad invitations to continental representatives. The Covenant received formal acknowledgment as recognized organization—we're welcome to send delegates."
The festival was perfect opportunity. Natural context for second meeting, no suspicion of unusual interest, environment that allowed genuine conversation rather than formal diplomatic exchange.
"I'll attend personally. Mira accompanies as administrative support."
"That's significant investment for a harvest festival."
"Cintran connections are strategically important. Their position between Northern Kingdoms and Nilfgaard makes them crucial to continental politics." The partial truth that justified intensive attention. "Establishing relationships now pays dividends during whatever comes next."
Tom accepted the explanation without questioning deeper. He knew I pursued some objectives with intensity that didn't match obvious strategic value—the Witcher alliance, the orphan program, now Cintran diplomacy. He'd learned not to press when I chose not to explain.
The system shop interface glowed in my private quarters.
Selecting gifts for fourteen-year-old Ciri required different calculation than the first meeting's offerings. She'd appreciated the Perfect Pitch book—practical help with something she found tedious. This time, I needed gifts that acknowledged her growing capabilities, her actual interests, her intelligence.
[GUILD SHOP - RARE TIER]
[Skill Book: Swift Footwork (800 GP)]
[- Combat movement enhancement]
[- Agility and positioning improvement]
[- Complementary to sword training]
The combat manual was obvious choice. Ciri's interest in swordplay was documented—she found physical training more engaging than courtly education. A Rare-tier skill book would accelerate her development, demonstrate understanding of her actual interests, and provide genuine value rather than decorative frivolity.
[PURCHASE: Swift Footwork Skill Book]
[Cost: 800 GP]
[GP Balance: -620]
Practice weapons came next. Not actual swords—too obvious, too politically complicated—but high-quality training implements that would serve her education without raising court concerns.
[PURCHASE: Enhanced Practice Weapons Set]
[Cost: 300 GP]
[Contents: Weighted training sword, balanced staff, protective gear]
[Quality: Master-crafted equivalent]
[GP Balance: -920]
The personal gift required more thought. Something meaningful without being presumptuous. Something useful without being overtly practical.
[ITEM: Enchanted Journal]
[Cost: 100 GP]
[Effect: Permanent ink (writing never fades), bound pages (cannot be removed)]
[Note: Minor magical convenience, appropriate for personal gift]
A journal with permanent ink. Her thoughts, recorded without fear of fading or destruction. Small magic, but thoughtful application.
[PURCHASE: Enchanted Journal]
[Cost: 100 GP]
[GP Balance: -1,020]
The GP debt was deepening again, but the investment mattered more than the numbers.
Teleportation carried me to the Gors Velen regional outpost—closest node to Cintra, allowing normal travel for the remaining distance.
Mira joined me for the overland portion, her presence providing both diplomatic legitimacy and observational perspective I valued.
"You're investing significant resources in Cintran relations," she observed on the second day of travel. "The gifts alone cost more than most diplomatic presentations."
"Cintra is important."
"More important than Temeria? Redania? We have active operations in both kingdoms with less personal attention."
"Different kind of importance." I guided my horse around a rough patch of road. "The Northern Kingdoms are established relationships. Cintra is opportunity for new positioning."
"You've met the princess once. A conversation in a garden, a gift that might have been forgotten." Mira's voice carried curiosity rather than accusation. "Now you're returning with more substantial offerings. That suggests particular interest beyond general diplomacy."
"She's too observant. She's been too observant since the beginning. Lying convincingly isn't possible—only deflection and partial truth."
"Princess Cirilla is going to matter. I don't know exactly how, but my instincts say she'll be significant beyond her current position as Cintran heir." I kept my eyes on the road. "Building relationship early creates opportunity for influence when that significance manifests."
"Instincts."
"Call it pattern recognition. She's intelligent, capable, restless in ways that suggest she won't accept ordinary princess existence. People like that either become important or become dangerous. I'd rather be positioned as ally than stranger when she decides which."
Mira was quiet for a long moment.
"That's remarkably strategic for intuition about a fourteen-year-old."
"I've been remarkably strategic about everything since founding the guild. Why should this be different?"
She accepted the explanation, but I caught her studying me with attention that suggested she didn't entirely believe it.
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